Colton Wedding /// December.12.2021

“Love recognizes no barriers. It jumps hurdles, leaps fences, penetrates walls to arrive at its destination full of hope.”

– Maya Angelou

BLAKE + SIERRA

VALLEY VIEW, TEXAS

For my second wedding - back to back - I traveled to Valley View, Texas where I stumbled upon a fairly new venue, The Gardenia Venue - and it was breathtaking, to say the least!

I had already gotten the pleasure to get to know the bride & groom, Sierra & Blake, a few months back when we did their engagement photos and they were a blast so, I knew the wedding was going to be even more fun.

Blake is a huge Dallas Cowboys fan (which we even did some jersey photos of for the engagements) and... well, I'll get back to the cowboys in a minute.

As I arrived, I pulled up to a beautiful circular driveway at The Gardenia and passed a beautiful water fountain right in the middle of the driveway that really sets the tone and vibe of the venue.

As I walk in, I was greeted by Sierra's mother, Elma, who is just the nicest and was the biggest help for someone who had not only just arrived but, had never been to this venue yet and she was such a delight and extremely helpful.

After I got some reception lights set up, I headed upstairs to the bridal suite to see and visit with Sierra and start getting detail and getting ready shots.

After that, I headed downstairs to the groom's suite where the guys were sitting and watching tv.

Keep in mind, this wedding was on a Sunday - and what happens on Sunday?

Football!

Therefore, the Cowboys were playing, and even on his wedding day, Blake wasn't about to miss a game.

While they got ready and kept glancing at the game, the guys stopped and Blake made a speech to everyone - including his dad, Scott, who was also just the nicest guy!

Side note - I can absolutely see where they get their manners and respect from -- their parents. GREAT job, parents!!!

Anyway, after Blake made some funny jokes and some heartfelt speeches and toasts, the guys cheered and celebrated.

Then, Blake's sister, Taylor, came down to give her only sibling a letter she wrote for him on his big day.

And let me tell you, I was told Blake was emotional before I even went to the suite and I was so excited because as photographers, emotion in photos is everything. If its true and sincere, you can feel it in the images.

And Blake did not disappoint, we love an emotional groom! As soon as he was reading the letter, here came the waterworks (see image below) and Taylor as well - it was truly an amazing moment between a brother and his sister.

Then, it was time to start the pre-ceremony photos -- and while we had to drag Blake from the Cowboys game, we got set up outside and started shooting.

Between an emotional letter and gift exchange between Blake and his mom, Tammy, and the groomsmen cheering with their drinks, and then eventually, a race to a beer photo ending up with Blake slipping and falling in the mud..... yeah, scary moment.

But all was good! We got it taken care of and you couldn't even tell, haha.

Fast forward to the beautiful ceremony that overlooked a gorgeous lake and a water fountain, Blake & Sierra exchanged vows and did a pretty cool thing that they will open on their 1st anniversary. They put a bottle of wine and I think a couple of letters they wrote to look back on and see if their 1st year of marriage was everything and more.

Then, they said their I Do's and it was official!

Post ceremony photos went off great! It was pretty chilly outside (I mean, it is December) and so we did the photos inside where the ceremony took place.

And everything was going great until the sun - yes, the sun - decided to intervene and shine right through a window and was blinding everyone so, guests from the wedding and even the groomsmen held up a big cardboard box, opened their jackets, and blocked the light coming in that was blinding everyone, haha. That was a first for me.

The evening went on without a hitch and everything just went perfectly.

Of course, more emotional speeches and toasts' and a blessing from a grandfather really made everyone tear up.

The reception started up and after everyone was done eating their delicious dinner from Texas catering, everyone got on the floor and started dancing the night away to the great jams of DJ Connections.

Speaking of, let's not forget the amazing vendors from this wedding!

Shoutout to the wedding planner, Tamara, who held everything in place and was just a hoot to be around.

This was such an emotional and BEAUTIFUL wedding and I could not be happier for Blake & Sierra and thankful that I was chosen to be a part of it.

They truly are the sweetest couple and I see nothing but happiness in their future.

Congratulations Mr. & Mrs. Colton!